Urban Change-What is urban, urbanisation and urban change?

URBAN=the distinctive characteristics of towns and cities-their size, density, environments and ways of life.

Most people distinguish urban areas from rural areas on the basis of population size, although the term 'urban' can also be applied to describe both places and people. Urban areas show a number of features which distinguish them from rural places...not just in terms of the environment in which they live but they do for a living and their general lifestyles.

Urban character can be broken down under three subheadings-Environmental, Economic and People.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

Exclusion of the natural world.

Dominance of buildings & transport networks.

High levels of environmental pollution-not just of water and air but also light and visiual pollution.

Fast pace of living.

ECONOMIC:

Employment mainly in secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors.

The provision of commercial and social services for local residents and those living in the tributary areas.

PEOPLE:

High population densities.

Distinctive lifestyles, values and behaviour.

Diversity in terms of wealth, age and ethnicity.

Raised stress levels.

What is urbanisation?

URBANISATION=the process of which places and people become more URBAN. The most obvious outcome is a rise in percentage urban. Most people commonly believe that in order to become urbanised, they must migrate from rural areas into urban areas, but that is only a small part to the definition.

There are five elements:

1) Shift in the economy of a country/region-Emphasis moves from farming and the primary sector to manufacturing and the provision of a range of services.